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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Advice needed re chest infection and a&e on NY's day?

8 replies

jasperc163 · 01/01/2009 11:04

Sorry bit long and have also posted this on health page but would really appreciate some advice. Following on from some of my other threads, I am 6 months pregnant and have had what appears to be a grumbling chest infection for 2 months. After the 2nd lot of AB's i felt a bit better though still had a cough. Then last week DD came down with a virus and i got worse again. Saw GP on monday and she said still signs of chest infection,plus infected tonsil and temp. Given 3rd lot of AB's.

Now on day 4 of AB's and whilst temp and tonsil better, my chest cough is worse and have been feeling very short of breath which is very scarey. I gave a plegm sample on monday but results not back at gp yesterday (and closed today of course). Even if i go back to gp tomorrow it is quite likely results wont have come back (and the sample may have been no good anyway i dont know). Either way i dont think the AB's are working as my chest is worse than when i started them and there should be some improvement by now (have now had amoxycillin, erythromycin and cefaclor)

I am exhausted, not sleeping, and worried about the baby and have a 3yr old and job to deal with once OH back at work next week. I dont know if i would be better to just bite the bullet and use the fact that gp closed to go to local hospital this afternoon (once remnants of NYs eve have been dealt with!). But i am equally worried about picking something else up whilst there as my immune system is obviously now so compromised.

Would you got to the hospital or try to see a doctor (unfort not one i usually see as she is off til next week) again tomorrow?

help?
many thanks

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ThePregnantHedgeWitch · 01/01/2009 12:13

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lisasimpson · 01/01/2009 12:20

I would wait until tomorrow - unless you really think it is serious.

jasperc163 · 01/01/2009 14:18

Thanks both - have now realised there is an out of hours centre that my gp surgery uses at the hospital so i am going to call and try and speak to them.

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Flihgtattendant · 01/01/2009 14:23

I'd try and avoid any hospital visits if you've been taking cefalosporins. Don't want to scare you but if you should come into contact with a certain bacterium (C-difficile) when you've been taking these a/b's (broad spectrum) you're at risk of acquiring a nasty illness. I got it while taking cefalexin (similar) last summer, must have picked up the bug at the out of hours at the hospital i think.

Be careful, don't use the alcohol gels, just wash your hands thoroughly with soap if you do end up going there.

Hope you feel better very soon xx

jasperc163 · 01/01/2009 15:53

thanks Flightattendant - thats pretty frightening and i googled it and it does appear that c.difficile rates are directly related to usage levels of broad (as opposed to narrow) spectrum antibiotics in hospitals and does put you at a much higher risk!

Believe it or not my surgery has forgotten to put the correct answer machine message on so no link to out of hours! Pretty bad really ...

So decision made i think - going to try upping the frequency of steam inhalation and try to get through to the morning when i can get to the GPs.

thanks again

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jasperc163 · 01/01/2009 15:54

thanks Flightattendant - thats pretty frightening and i googled it and it does appear that c.difficile rates are directly related to usage levels of broad (as opposed to narrow) spectrum antibiotics in hospitals and does put you at a much higher risk!

Believe it or not my surgery has forgotten to put the correct answer machine message on so no link to out of hours! Pretty bad really ...

So decision made i think - going to try upping the frequency of steam inhalation and try to get through to the morning when i can get to the GPs.

thanks again

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Flihgtattendant · 01/01/2009 17:07

Just as well maybe about the OOH

I hope you can hang in there till morning. It sounds horrid and I have just got over flu myself after about 3/4 weeks of feeling rubbish, nothing compared to your chest infection but can empathise a little.

If you can take some good probiotics (diarsafe is a good one if you're actually on a/b's, as it is yeast based so not destroyed by the a/b's - ordinary l. bacillus tend to be killed off with each dose) you will be better protected from any nasties. C. diff is still rare but becoming more widespread so good to be aware. I think once your gut has had several months to rebuild its balance of good bacteria, you shouldn't be any more at risk than anyone else. It's just the being on cefa. can make you very vulnerable.

Hopefully you'll be fine and all this is just me going off on one, I am a bit of a bore on it since the summer!!!

jasperc163 · 02/01/2009 16:40

Went back to GP - test results still not back so not much he can do atm. Thinks anyway that it is most likely a viral bronchitis (on top of previous remnants of chest infection). Been given pholcodine and salbutamol syrup - neither of which really help tbh and coughing constantly. Have bought a warm steam humidifier for bedroom tonight and doing lots of steam inhalation but running out of ideas. Feel absolutely crap and can't believe the constant coughing has no negative effect on the baby :-(

Someone pls tell me this will get better!

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